This post first published: 07 November 2019
Spotlight on Independent Students: HELOA and SLC Conference – Registration now open!
We would like to invite HELOA members to attend the upcoming Spotlight on Independent Students event, held together with SLC.
The event will take place at the Holiday Inn (Birmingham Airport) on Wednesday 6 November. It includes guest speakers from DfE, NNECL, Spectre First and Sheffield Young Carers Support Team.
Registration is now open for HELOA members. Please visit the HELOA website for further information and booking instructions.
Non-members will also be able to register for this event. We'll let you know when general registration opens, shortly.
Confirming that addresses – and therefore funding details – are correct for AY 2019/20
We have started contacting students to ensure they are getting the correct amount of Maintenance Loan based on where they are living. You should be aware that this is happening in case students ask your front line staff about this.
Some students may receive an email from us over the course of the next few weeks. In this email, we will be asking for more evidence to confirm their address status. Students who confirm that they live away from home are usually entitled to additional Maintenance Loan. We may ask them to provide further evidence as part of this check.
Our emails will also include some further information and evidence suggestions.
Important advice on how to avoid phishing scams
We are warning all new students to be on their guard about phishing scams as the new term starts. They should not be tricked into disclosing any financial details. We are also advising them against clicking on links in emails or text messages, as they could be installing malware.
Fraudsters often target students with bogus emails and text messages around the three loan instalment periods in September, January and April. In the last two academic years alone, our dedicated counter fraud teams have prevented almost half a million pounds from being phished from students’ loans.
Anyone who receives a suspicious email should send it to phishing@slc.co.uk. We can then investigate the site and take appropriate steps to help protect other students. For more information and some practical steps to spot a phishing scam, visit this link on GOV.UK.
'I See the Difference': A website for Allied Health Professionals
The Office for Students (OfS) has a new website for students on healthcare courses. It has information for students, parents and advisers about course information, entry requirements and student testimony. OfS will also add student finance information to the website in the coming weeks.
You can visit the new site a www.iseethedifference.co.uk.
Childcare CCG2 (period 3) – costs need confirming
Our old system of confirming childcare costs is in the process of winding down. This was replaced by paying childcare providers directly from August 2019. However, we still need to finalise AY 2018/19 (period 3) childcare costs for August and September starters.
We are sending courtesy text messages to students. These will remind them to submit their CCG2 for period 3 to prevent their childcare grant from being reduced or removed. The text messages are scheduled for this week at 3,000 per day.
You can find CCG2 forms to confirm AY 2018/19 childcare costs at this link.
The Road to Repayment
We have dedicated social media channels to increase understanding of the repayment of student loans. These are useful to students, as well as their parents or carers. Right now, these Facebook and Twitter pages are hosting our ‘Road to Repayment’ information and advice.
Help us keep our contacts list up to date
Please ensure all relevant contacts at your organisation (including any new starters) are registered to receive our communications.
Would you like to update the contacts we hold for you? All you need to do is email fundinginformationpartners@slc.co.uk with a list of contacts that need to be added to or removed from our regional mailing list
